US Model 1842 Percussion Pistol
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1842
Also known as: Model 1842 Cavalry Pistol, Aston Model 1842, Ames Model 1842
Overview
The US Model 1842 Percussion Pistol was a single-shot, muzzle-loading .54-caliber smoothbore handgun and the first US martial pistol adopted with the percussion-cap ignition system. The cavalry pattern used an 8.5-inch barrel and a swivel ramrod, while a Navy pattern featured a shorter barrel. Manufactured under government contract by makers such as H. Aston & Co. and N.P. Ames, it armed dragoons and saw service through the Mexican-American War and into the early Civil War.
Specifications
| Overall Length | 356 mm (14.02") |
| Barrel Length | 216 mm (8.50") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Effective Range | 23 m (25 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Frame Material | Wood |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Bright Steel |
Calibers
- .54 Caliber Ball · primary — also known as .54 Ball, .54 caliber round ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Features: Swivel Ramrod, Smoothbore Barrel, Brass Furniture, Saddle Ring
Variants
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1842 · as Model 1842 Pistol
- United States Navy · adopted 1842 · as Model 1842 Navy Pistol
Conflicts
- Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Production years: 1845-1852
Produced under federal contract by multiple private armories including H. Aston & Co. and N.P. Ames
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Discontinued: 1852
Notes
Cavalry version: 8.5-inch barrel, ~14-inch overall. Bore measured approximately 0.525 inch. Many were produced by contractors (H. Aston, N.P. Ames, I.N. Johnson, Palmetto Armory) rather than at the national armory itself.
Background
As the last single-shot martial pistol issued to US cavalry before Colt's revolvers took over, the Model 1842 marked the end of an era: a horseman's last muzzle-loading sidearm, obsolete almost the moment the repeating revolver arrived.